Chapter 2
I looked at Ryan and waited for him to deny it.
He did not.
That was the first answer.
His mouth opened.
Closed.
Opened again.
“Sarah, this isn’t the place.”
I laughed once.
It came out broken.
“Your mother has been taking our son downstairs to hurt him, and you’re worried about the place?”
Diane slammed her hand on the table.
“That child needs correction.”
My sister-in-law, Melissa, whispered, “Mom, stop.”
Diane turned on her.
“Stay out of family matters.”
I pulled Noah into my arms.
He was shaking so hard his teeth clicked.
“How long?” I asked Ryan.
He looked at the relatives.
At the cake.
At his mother.
Anywhere but me.
“How long?”
He lowered his voice.
“Mom gets strict sometimes.”
Noah whimpered.
That sound made my decision for me.
I took out my phone and dialed 911.
Diane lunged.
Ryan grabbed my wrist.
“Don’t do this.”
I stared at his hand on me.
“Let go.”
“Sarah, think.”
“I am thinking.”
I yanked free.
The operator answered.
“My mother-in-law just slapped my son in front of twenty witnesses,” I said. “My son says she has been abusing him in the basement while my husband knew.”
Gasps moved around the table.
Diane’s face drained.
Ryan whispered, “You’re destroying us.”
“No,” I said. “I’m finally seeing you.”
Noah clung to my neck.
The operator told me officers were on the way.
Diane started crying suddenly.
Fake tears.
Loud tears.
“My grandson is confused,” she sobbed. “Sarah has always hated me.”
Aunt Carol stood.
“I saw her hit him.”
Diane froze.
Carol’s hands shook, but her voice did not.
“And I’m ashamed I stayed quiet before.”
Before.
The word hit the room.
I turned to her.
“What do you mean before?”
Carol looked at Noah.
Then at me.
“I heard things from the basement last Christmas.”
Ryan’s face went white.
“What things?” I asked.
May you like
Carol covered her mouth.
“Crying.”
